OT RE: BLAM, BLAM, BLAM! ;] - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

26 Aug 1998

Is this any easier with plastic parts? Is there any easy way to make
molds? I don't want to do it, just curious (modern appliances
usually depend on a single .5 cm plastic cog which of course tends
to break or wear out after a few months' use)
...
 FOr the record, I have absolutely no interest in
firearms...

  Why not?  It can certainly be bought, both new
and at auctions.
 I knew a gunsmith who had a mill and a lathe, and that's the main
 two pieces of heavy machinery you need to make pretty much anything.
 (Besides the little stuff like welding equipment, saws, etc.) 
Actually, you can do a suprising amount with a small lathe (small  meaning 
...
 about 3" centre height, 18" between centres).
Including milling. If you 
have a vertical slide on the saddle (and, better still also a vertical 
milling attachment), there's little you can't do that you could do on a 
milling machine. Sure you'll have to work slowly and take light cuts,  but 
...
 you can do it.

To go back on topic, a small lathe will make a lot of bits for computer 
peripherals. Rollers, spindles, pulleys, gears, etc can all be made 
pretty easily. In fact for something like a simple nylon roller for a 
printer, it's actually quicker to turn the part than to try to get a  part 
...
 number from the manufacturer!

The cost of a good small non-CNC (so ideal for one-offs, but not for 
production) lathe would be about \pounds 3000, I guess. Not impossible  to 
...
 have at home. In fact almost all model engineers (the
sort of madmen  who 
...
 make steam engines) have such a machine. 

Metal casting is also possible at home. You can make the pattern on the 
lathe, make a mould using foundry sand and melt the metal either in a 
coke furnace, or preferably an electricly heated one. Not trivial to  do, 
...
 but not beyond what some people will try. In fact I
must have a go one  day.
...

-tony

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